I've let a pal test ride the Serenity + 40 cm fin + 6.0 slalom sail in 10-15 knots of wind. He was happy and quite impressed by the speed he can reach with that combo. Since he doesn't want to get a sail larger than 6.0 with his small slalom board, the Serenity could be an excellent and fun alternative board for non-planing days with his small sail.

Cheers !

JM

8th April 2008 06:12 AM

Philip

Um...like great! It is really something to see Serenity in those videos. Question though. The specs quote a sail range from 5m, so in what conditions would sub-6.5m sails be useable and fun?

Thanks for your suggestions above. Until I actually take delivery of the board (estimated in a March/April timeframe), I'm not going to get too anxious about the situation. Maybe the fit will be perfect without any modification needed at all. That's what I'm hoping for, but I'll keep your suggestions in mind if the outcome is not ideal.

18th February 2008 12:52 AM

Roger

Hi Steve C,
What is the problem with your favorite weed fin in the Serenity?
If it goes in too far, then you may be able to glue in a couple of
shims on the ends to make it fit correctly.
If it stands proud of the bottom of the board, you can always take
a fairly large diameter rat tail file and work the ends (the big lump is
normally found in the back and fairly near the bottom of the board
(vice further down in the fin box) so work on the back first) of the fin box
until the fin fits at the correct depth.
I know this is backward, but in this case you want the fin to fit your other
board first, so correct the fin box in the Serenity to make it the same as
your other board.
If the fin is too tight on the sides, a little work with a double cut flat file, inside
the fin box, and you can fit you fin nicely. Use some soap as a "marking media"
and file the shiny spots down in the fin box in the same manner that you would
the fin if you were going to change the fin root.
If your fave fin is too loose on the sides of the Serenity fin box, you could fairly
easily add some thin alumium shims to the sides.
Cut the shims from either a soda can or maybe from a plastic milk jug.
Put a little thickened epoxy on the back side and insert the fin with some
Saran Wrap around the root to act as a release sheet.
A little work with a file, and you'll have a perfectly fitted fin in both boards.
Hope this helps,

18th February 2008 12:29 AM

steveC

Hi JM,

Thanks for your input in response to my questions. Since I will be storing the Serenity outside (I have no garage), I'm also buying the dedicated Starboard bag like yours.

In light of the fact that there is no one in Santa Barbara with a formula board, or for that matter, no one really using a classic longboard with a dagger, I will be out and about sailing alone. You never know though, maybe other folks will join in later at some time in the future.

About the use of weedfins, Roger has been very helpful on that front, as he uses them often sailing his Serenity in the Hatteras area. The only thing that worries me, and I think I mentioned it in an earlier post here, is that my existing weedfin planned for use with the Serenity wouldn't fit. It works perfectly now in my light wind course slalom, and I really don't want to alter the base. In a worst case scenario, I'll just have to buy a new Lessacher Duo Weed fin and dedicate it for exclusive use on the Serenity.

Again, thanks for input. As always, its greatly appreciated.

17th February 2008 11:43 PM

Jean-Marc

Steve,

Happy to learn you finally have ordered a Serenity too ! Congrats, you will love it.

WRT your questions:

1) I've tried the Sportech version before ordering the wood version. On the weight difference (12.3 vs 14.1 kg), it's very difficult to notice these 1.8 kg weight gain while sailing it. However, I've noticed the lighter woody weight at the end of the day when I need to uphaul the board on top of the van's roofracks. While sailing, the wood version is a bit crisper and better absorb vibration when running across or pearling the nose through chop. The nose of the Sportech version showed more vibration amplitude (up and down "shaking") than that of the woody version.

2) no obvious speed difference between the 2 versions.

3) sportech version are long lasting : no damage when exposed outside for 10 months under sun, heat, cold, rain or snow. My woody is kept pampered in its dedicated boardbag and inside a garage during winter, but no damage so far except for the unavoidable few ding at the front and back of the hull while lugging her around on the beach between boats, piers, wall, rocks, tables, chairs or even peoples. Such a 15 footer is indeed long...

4) you should be fine with your current largest sail in 6-10 knots wind, no need for a jumbo sail unless you want a challenging ride in ultra light wind and want to smoke anything in sight on the water (a Serenity + 11 m2 sail beats another Serenity + 9.5 sail) !

5) for non-planing conditions (below 7 knots for me), the Serenity is the fastest hull so far that I have tested. Better than a Lechner or a Hobbie 18 footer. Above 7 knots, a dedicated planing hull is faster, no question. Selection of the right combo scenario in gusty 5-9 knots wind range can lead to interesting results as a planing hull is not always the fastest in a drag race (Serenity + 9.0 m2 sail against a large iSonic + 11 m2 sail).

6) I have zero experience with weed fins, so cannot be of any help or advise in this area, sorry.

Cheers !

JM

14th February 2008 08:21 AM

steveC

Hi Jean-Mark,

Your featured videos above concerning the Serenity were, at least my opinion, very enticing on the extreme lightwind performance front, especially the first video, as it offered better lighting for a strong visual statement. However, based on my recollection, it was 2nd video that showed the sailor (and I was assuming that was you) moving all about, while others were seriously dogging it.

I'm more encouraged than ever that I ordered a Serenity, because a very light wind focus was my target. Although the biggest anticipated sail I expect to use is an 8.3, I can say my wind target are more in the 6-10 knot range. Also, I will using a much shorter length raked weed fin. Nevertheless, I'm intrigued and focused on the possibilities with this light wind concept approach. I think I've mentioned it here before that I have some great planning type gear, but this is a new adventure for me that opens the classic "original windsurfing" idea that one can have fun in almost no wind.

Based on videos that I've seen, I'm very optimistic. Yet, I was wondering about your thoughts concerning the differences between the "Wood" and "Sportech" versions. I ordered the latter version because my horizon line is expected to be long term, and I think that the repair strategies might work to my advantages, even though resale values aren't really a factor here.

My experiences with board weight aren't always what the market says. To be honest, I play both side of the street on the weight issue depending on the board concept. Really, good design is the heart of the issue in my mind, and that's how I've organized my board quiver. Actually, one might view my choices as humorous, and they may seem very contrary in approach, especially in view of the designer/builders involved, but I'm of a mind to find the style and character of the product as a paramount focus point.

Overall, nobody is offering anything like the Serenity. Now that's innovative! While some might argue that older Division 2 boards might be better across bigger wind and condition scenarios, the "plug and play" nature of the Serenity wins out for me in the extremely light wind performance arena. I'm not competing here, and I have many boards (6 in the van right now), so I'm not going to be responsible for harnessing the board across a broad wind range.

I really like the specialist idea. Need I say, how many sports are this friendly to the idea of diversity at such an accessible price? You can't do that having a Ferrari, Mercedes and your favorite 4 wheel drive without spending a literal fortune.